Aashadhi Ekadashi : Grand Festival of Vitthal Worship in Pandharpur, Maharashtra

This resource is aimed to give a glance at Maharashtra'a Grand Festival of "Aashadhi Ekadashi". Vitthal is the name that comes in our sense when we are in trouble or need some support from the Divine.

Aashadhi Ekadashi 11 July 2011

Today as per Marathi Calender "Aashadh" month is starting and the Most profused day in this month is "Aashadhi Ekadashi" which is on 11 July 2011.

Pandharichi Vari:

This day will mark as the final milestone of 22-day trek ("Dindi") which carries the Sant Tukaram palkhi from Dehu,Maharashtra and the Dnyaneshwar palkhi from Alandi, Maharashtra. Both Palakhis would reach Pandharpur, Maharashtra before Ashadhi Ekadashi. In these Palakhis, "Paduka"(Wooden footwear) of the four saints are carried to the Vithoba Temple in Pandharpur, Maharashtra.

This annual Pilgrimage is carried out for now hundreds of years in Maharashtra. Participation in this are paid respect by all the Marathi communities and are called as "Waarkari". Many devotees have the dream of attempting "Pandharichi Waari" at least once in their life-time.

"Jai Hari Vitthal", "Dnyanoba Mauli", "Vitthal Rakhumai" phrases and "Abhang" (Devotional songs) are chanted through out the pilgrimage. And the sound of this chanting makes the surroundings so pleasant and divine.

Ringan:

Main attraction of this Yatra is "Ringan". Ringan is a circle of Performing devotees, which covers the "Horse-riding Man". Devotees in Ringan perform various arts of demonstration. This is a must view scene of Pandharpur Yatra.

Route of the Dindi:

The Yatra Starts at Alandi. Halts are taken there after at Pune, Saswad, Jejuri, Walha, Lonad, Phaltan, Barad, Natepute, Malshiras, Taradgaon, Bhandi-Shegaon, Velapu, Varkhari ( here the Palkhis of Sant Dyaneshwar and Sant Tukaram meet and combine), and Pandharpur.

Some snapshots of this Divine Festival published in Midday:
Dindi starts